Nightwing did his best to shield both Jessie and his daughter, but he knew he was on the wrong side of the bed. Jessie growled something under her breath that sounded suspiciously like,
"Couldn't have one freakin day." It was humanoid in shape except for the long flowing wings that were having trouble fitting through the window. Once they did finally fit into the room the person turned and stepped into the light. Nightwing's jaw might have dropped a little. The man looked exactly like the paintings of angels. Long white robes with shining silver and gold armor. A sword belted to his waist. His feathers ruffled then smoothed out and he spoke in a strange language. It was Muse who spoke up,
"What do you want Raphael?" The angel smiled and held his hands up to show they are empty. This time he spoke in English his voice soft and musical.
"It is time for the chosen to come with me and be my (he says a word in his own language)."
"I'm sorry then you will have to leave. Because neither I, my sister, or my daughter will be going with you. Not now not ever." Nightwing was a little taken aback, he was still trying to wrap his mind around the fact that the angel Raphael really existed. Raphael smiled and none of them liked that smile.
"You do not have a choice. One of the of the chosen lines must come. That was the deal."
"A deal we had no part." Jessie growled. Nightwing moved around the bed to stand between her and the angel. Raphael looked at him and snorted.
"A deal you have benefited from." To Nightwing he said, "You think you can stop me child? I have lived longer than your planet has been alive." Nightwing smiled at him.
"Then you know many people have thought the same thing, but I'm still here." The angel laughed. The sound hurt his ears and drove him to his knees. Jessie cried out and clamped a hand over her ears. Muse crumpled to the ground trying to shield herself from the sound. Little Thalia wailed and waved her tiny hands as if she was trying to push away the terrible sound.
"You have never faced a heavenly being."
"I will go." Gabriel's voice cut through the sound. Everyone turned to see him, Miss Martian, and Superboy standing in the doorway. The young man between them had his hands restrained by inhibitor cuffs. Raphael looked over Gabriel. He extended a hand to Gabriel and Gabriel, Muse, Thalia, and Jessie all glowed with an inner light.
"You are of the bloodlines. I accept." Jessie blinked.
"Say what?" Gabriel gave her an amused half smile.
"There was a miss translation. He's not asking for a bride, he needs a host body for when he comes to earth." Jessie opened her mouth and closed then opened it again. "I found my mother's copy and was reading it. It kinda just hit me. Angels don't marry, not in any sense like we do. So why would he need a bride?"
"Gabriel." He held up his hand to stop her.
"I've caused enough problems. This way Simon can't ever get to you through me. I'm tired of being used, and I'm tired of running and hiding."
"So you'll become a vessel for an angel?" He grinned.
"I choose it. Call it my own penance for what I did." Jessie looked at Raphael who stood there silently. The angel wasn't reacting to anything that was being said, just waiting patiently. He apparently could afford to wait now that he had a volunteer.
"Is what he says true?" Raphael turned the full power of his gaze on her. She shivered but held his gaze.
"He speaks the truth."
"If he's your vessel, Simon will have no power over him?" The angel nodded. Jessie blew out a breath and looked to Nightwing. Nightwing shrugged.
"I can certainly think of worse punishments for him." Gabriel chuckled darkly.
"And I you." Both men looked at each other. Neither liked the other. They would never be friends and they would never get along, however, both shared a mutual respect of an opponent. Gabriel glanced at Thalia then turned back to Nightwing. "Never forget that there is someone who would gladly kill you and take your place. Don't screw up."
"I'm not you." Snarled Nightwing. Gabriel chuckled and then stepped to Raphael. Light bathed the room and Gabriel was gone leaving only the broken cuffs lying on the floor where he once stood. Raphael turned to go then hesitated at the window. Glancing back he looked at the tiny child who was squirming and crying in the incubator. His wings shifted closer to him and he plucked a single feather from his wing before walking to Thalia's incubator. He laid the feather on her tiny chest. The feather changed, solidifying and changing color. A small gold feather hung from simple chain. Thalia slowly started turning from red to a more normal color and she got bigger.
"It seems I've caused you some trouble too. Accept this gift as an apology." Then without another word he walked back to the window and disappeared out it. Nightwing looked from his daughter to Jessie, to Megan. After a moment of silence he asked,
"What the hell is going on?" Megan cleared her throat then explained about the interrogation she had been having with Gabriel. She had felt it the same moment he had, when the angel had appeared. With Super boy's help they had made it to the bioship without being noticed and they had flown here just in the nick of time. Gabriel had explained what he knew on the ride, even showed her his family's copy of the letter. She handed the soggy letter to Nightwing who looked it over. Nightwing sighed looking at Thalia. The rest could wait until later. He asked Jessie,
"What did that feather do?" Jessie reached over and picked up the little necklace.
"Raphael is the angel of healing. If I had to guess, I'd say he ensured she would be healthy." Nightwing took the little charm. If he hadn't seen the feather get plucked from the angel's wing he would have said there was nothing special about it other than it was solid gold. Before he could say anything else Megan asked,
"What did you name her?" She was hovering next to Thalia.
"Thalia Alexandra Grayson." Megan beamed at the small child and Muse gave Connor a meaningful look.
"So you two thinking of having one?" Both Megan and Connor blushed and sputtered. Jessie covered her mouth to hide her smile and Nightwing snorted and told her,
"Don't be mean, Alexandra." Jessie cleared her throat making everyone look back at her.
"Megan, I don't know if you know this, but on earth we have a custom of naming a god parent to the child. It's someone who will mentor the child and occasionally spoil them. Would you consent to being Thalia's godmother?" Megan's eyes widened.
"I'd love to!" She floated over and hugged Jessie and Nightwing. The conversation steered towards the future. The rest of the team stopped in to visit and see the baby, along with Jessie's family. All in all not a bad night thought Nightwing looking at his family, but he could do without any more surprises.